K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 45
March 16, 2018
Book review: Teresa Burrell’s Mason’s Missing (@teresaburrell )
Mason was last seen running towards a man the teacher assumed to be his father, and getting into a [image error]dark blue Toyota RAV4. Days pass and there is no sign or ransom, word of mouth reaches Mason’s desperate mother, giving her cause to approach Tuper. He is thought to be the best, and she would do anything to enlist his services. But the stubborn and honourable Tuper is not in this line of work for the money, he has his own code, and he lives by it. Agreeing to take the case, despite his suspicions everything is not as it seems, he stumbles across someone who can help him progress his investigation quicker. This new duo start the hunt for Mason, uncovering strange circumstances and buried secrets as they go. Mason is missing, but all is not as it first seems. Can they uncover the truth and find the boy before the unthinkable happens?
I found Teresa Burrell’s writing style to be really easy going, so much so that I read the entire book in a single sitting. I was right there along Tuper and Lana as they tracked down leads and began to build the foundations of their new friendship. Red herrings, murder, mystery, mistakes, secrets, and peril, it doesn’t get better than this to make a good recipe for a mystery story, and Mason’s Missing (A Tuper Mystery Book 1) has them all. You’ll share the frustrations and victories of the characters as they delve deeper into the mystery and unravel the surprising truth about what actually happened. A really strong first book in a series, with just enough information about the lead characters that they remain an intriguing mystery you want to learn more about.
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Book link:
March 13, 2018
Book review: S.S. Segran’s AEGIS EVOLUTION (@SegranBooks )
The chosen have returned to Dema-Ki to further their training, exploring abilities that [image error]are beyond even the Elders’ guidance, and yet guide them they must. This group of friends must learn to combine their powers, for they will be called upon sooner than they could imagine. Riots, raids, and crop destruction has put strain on the world, but that is but the tip of the iceberg, the first part of a deadly plan, and part two in underway. A deadly plague is spreading, leaving death in its wake, and it seems almost no one is safe from infection. Can they find a means to stop the spread and cure those already afflicted, or will they be forced to watch everyone they care about die, and be powerless to do anything? Find out in S.S. Segran’s Aegis Evolution.
An amazing adventure of epic proportions. Aegis Evolution whisks you away into a story that is Iron fist, meets X-Men, meets Percy Jackson and spins a truly engaging and enjoyable tale. Whilst it is book three in the Aegis League Series Book 3 it works well as standalone, with key details seamlessly woven into the main plot to give the reader an understanding of what happened in the books before. I really struggled to put this down once I had started, it held me captivated from the first page to the last in a whirlwind tale of adventure, friendship, challenges, danger, and the pushing of boundaries. S.S. Segran has a wonderful writing style that effortlessly seems to flow, pulling the reader deeper until they can’t help but find themselves fully immersed and invested in the characters’ struggles, there is some great developments, not only in plot but in the characters and their growth on a personal level. A simply amazing read, a must for lovers of the genre.
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Book link:
March 10, 2018
Book review: Dave Willmarth’s The Greystone Chronicle (@DaveWillmarth )
For a long time Alexander has known he was dying. It was inevitable, he had been [image error]diagnosed with NDS, Neuromuscular Degenerative Syndrome, he had years left, but he refused to let it stop him doing what he loved. He was a gamer, and IO Online was his passion. He and his friends played religiously, braving the world, raiding the dungeons, and bringing hope to player and NPC alike, but they are about to experience it in a way they never imagined. Full immersion. An experimental pod has been created, and they were selected to test drive this new design, the catch is, they all had to start new level one characters. Not too bad, until they make enemies of PWP, a powerful player killer guild who will stop at nothing to see them destroyed. But there is more to this guild that meets the eye, and the dangers they pose of more real than Alexander could have imagined. Can he put an end to this guild of terrorists, when they not only outnumber their small group, but out-level them too, and what are these whispers of unrest, trouble is coming, and it seems Alexander has found himself in the firing line.
I really enjoyed Dave Willmarth’s The Greystone Chronicles. It was an immersive and entertaining read from beginning to end. Those familiar with some of the more popular MMORPGs will recognise a few system inspirations, and some genius adaptations of magic and class skills. Reading this was like playing a good game, I just didn’t want to stop. The characters are brilliant, deep, and well developed with great relationships and personalities. More than once I found myself laughing aloud, there were some scenes that brought to mind some of my own gaming nightmares with mob pulling. I have already added book two to my to read list. If you want action, adventure, conflict, danger, and strife then look no further, and be prepared for the added bonus of humour, intelligent thinking, and planning, there has to be when being pitted against level death* characters seek revenge. I can’t wait to start on book two. Epic drop!
Book link:
*(level death is how I’ve always referred to the character’s whose level shows as a skull, meaning you’re likely to die a quick and horrible death)
March 5, 2018
Book review: Holland C Kirbo’s A Flame in the Night
The birth of her sister’s child stirred a gift Laykyn had never imagined. All it took was one touch [image error]of the newborn and she had a vision, one of fire and violence. A dangerous force sought the child, but why any would wish to harm a baby was beyond her. Then there were the dreams, a similar theme of fire, but his time it was she who was trapped, at first by her own fear, and then by a man who barred her path. Her mother suggested, perhaps, given how long she had had them there was something divine in their nature, something that needed to be understood, how right she was. Unbeknown to Laykyn the world is changing, dark forces have awoken in the west, and most of Theranyn has fallen to Maal, the ruler of Hael who wishes to force himself into physical form and take their world for his own. Her nephew’s birth was a thing of significance, a catalyst, but not in the way any had expected.
Holland C Kirbo has an excellent writing style filled with rich and beautifully descriptive narrative, fantastic world building, and an array of unique and interesting characters forged into their own person by their unique experiences. There was no choice but to be drawn into the fabulous world, and marvel at all within. Rich histories, myths, and attention to detail have all been woven to create this amazing tale, and since A Flame in the Night is the first book in The Legends of Aewyr series it shows fantastic promise for the rest of the series. This book really made it easy to get excited about fantasy, I loved the complexes, the characters and the obvious thought and scope that has clearly gone into its writing. I am looking forward to book two.
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Book link:
Remedy is New Apple’s 2017 Solo Medallist in Fantasy!
I am really pleased to announce that Remedy, book three in The Forgotten Legacies series, has been chosen as the Solo Medallist in Fantasy for the New Apple Book awards 2017!
I found out on the 15th February and I’ve been grinning ever since. To my shame it has [image error]taken me this long to announce it.
Last year was such an amazing year for my writing, Darrienia was a semi-finalist in the Kindle Book awards, The Severaine received a Readers Favorite 2017 award for dystopian fiction, was a finalist in the Independent Author Network book for the year awards for two categories, fantasy and action/adventure, and was an Official Selection in the New Apple Awards, and now Remedy has joined the award winning ranks as the Solo Medallist for fantasy in the New Apple Award for Excellence.
I honestly can’t even begin to express how amazing it feels. When I first started writing I never dreamt I would receive an award, and now, if you include the 2016 Independent Author book of the year award for ‘Outstanding Fantasy’, Darrienia received, I have won a staggering five, not to mention that each book in the series has been awarded 5 Stars by Readers’ Favorite, I’m really blown away, and honoured, by it all.
I really want to take this moment to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me. I am grateful to all of you, my followers, readers, friends, and family. Without you I would never have had the confidence to see this through.
On that note, I am currently revising the final book in the Forgotten Legacies series tetralogy, which is aimed for release in early 2019. It’s a larger undertaking than I initially anticipated since I decided I could do better and scrapped everything after the first few chapters. I really hope that I can continue to live up to the promise I made when I released my first book. Thank you all again, your continued support and encouragement humbles me.
Book link:
March 3, 2018
Book review: Purpose – Volume I by Noura (@nourabooks1 )
The true nature of humans is one of love. If we do not experience joy or peace then [image error]something is inhibiting this. Purpose – Volume I by Noura attempts to display and explain how meditation can be used to better oneself and how to gain strength, wisdom and knowledge of not only yourself but humanity as a whole. It covers many aspects of life, from relationships to death, including an array of emotions, targets, and how both internal and external factors can affect us.
Well presented and well written, the author points out that a reader will put their own meaning to the words, I thought this was a brilliant insight, since everyone who reads it will have their own interpretation on what is written, and something they will take away from it that someone else may not. As a qualified holistic therapist amongst other things I have studied meditation, mindfulness, and all manner of applications, but I am always open to learning and seeing other interpretations which may influence my own practises. I am so pleased I picked up this book. Many books on similar topics often come across as either wooden and overly complex, or too familiar, Noura presents Purpose – Volume I in a user friendly and unassuming style making it accessible to novices to the topic, or those who have studied and already possess some insight. Whilst I don’t agree with some of the premises, such as love being our true nature, this does not change the wealth of knowledge within, and there are plenty of applications and insight that are fluid and adaptable to fit most belief foundations. It’s a well-structured book and makes for an interesting and thought-provoking read.
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Book review: G.L. Rathweg’s Warrior Academy
Time has advanced beyond that of our era, and with destruction and rebirth came [image error]change. Magic is no longer a thing of fiction, and anime may have more to teach us about world mechanics than ever before. Hiro was thrilled to be starting the Warrior Academy, a school for the skilled elite. His master had trained him well. His first year of training is about to begin, he will find friends, enemies, and challenges before him, and must apply all he knows, all they know, to overcome them.
G. L. Rathweg must be a fan of anime, I can see so many influences in their work, from Naruto to Dragon Ball Z and beyond. I thought the idea of a reading sound track was quite novel, whilst I like to give my sole focus to reading, I imagine this would be quite fun for people who like to put things to music. I know I’ve certainly created scenes in my mind inspired by soundtracks. This was a fun read that I could see would easily make a transition into anime.
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March 1, 2018
Book review: Apollos Thorne’s Underworld – Level Up or Die
Elorion was a gamer. He was loving the VR experience, little did he know that when he [image error]logged off something even more immersive than his favourite MMORPG awaited him. In barely the blink of an eye he was kidnapped, dragged into the Underworld, and deposited in an room of strangers they discover they all had one thing in common, they were gamers. No time was wasted, they were branded and given one very simple instruction. Level up or die. Their new mistress has developed a world that any gamer would dream off, and by fulfilling their own fantasies and gaining power, they not only got to live, but also kept her sustained. Survival is paramount, levelling essential, looming on the horizon is a threat more powerful than any of them could ever imagine, and if they hope to live, they must play by the rules.
Warning, cursed item cannot unequip. That’s to say I really couldn’t put this down. It was such a fun read that I really begrudged parting with it. Well written, entertaining, and will hold an appeal to gamers and fantasy lovers alike. I was initially concerned that reading about a level grind would be, well, a grind, but it was brilliantly executed and never became dull. This book goes beyond stat advancement and an intricate labyrinth, and detailed magical system aid the characters in their personal and social development. This really was a great adventure, and I’ll be adding book two to my to read list.
Book link:
February 28, 2018
Book review: E.L. Strife’s Stellar Fusion
Shepherds always had partners. Then again there was an exception to the rule, Nakio [image error]Atana. Her partners either died, or found her incompatible, and so Command allowed her to work alone, she was one of their best anyway. That was why they called upon her to face the latest problem. In the sky above a threat, familiar to her distant memories, loomed, and she is selected to head up the team that will oppose them. This enemy are taking any they can find from the surface of the planet, and she is their last, their only hope. But so little is known of these invaders. Atana thrives in being in control, something the unpredictability of not only her enemy, but of her newly assigned allies is making impossible. Can she surrender the control that keeps her sane and focused, and if she does, what buried secrets will emerge?
I found Stellar Fusion (Infinite Spark Book 1) to be a fascinating and enjoyable read. The author, E.L. Strife, pulls you into their futuristic world, introduces you to the ideas and structure of their domain, and wastes no time in driving the plot forward with compelling characters and imminent danger. Comradery, loyalty, survival, threat, and danger are expertly woven into an engaging plot. You develop an excellent feel for the characters and the personal obstacles they face, as well as those embraced within the plot. This futuristic world has some technologies that are both beautifully and terrifyingly imagined, those that will aid our heroes, and those that will stand in their way, and some times the line between which is which can be blurred. Really enjoyable, interesting, and most importantly fun to read. I look forward to seeing where book two takes us next.
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Book link:
February 25, 2018
Book review: Kip Terrington’s You’re not Allowed to Die
Joe had lived a long life, he had done a lot, but his body was failing him, and everyone [image error]knew he didn’t have long left. His granddaughter, knowing his love for games, had paid to ease his transition in a new style of hospice, one that immerses the loved one into a game reality, taking away their pain and giving them one final adventure before they move on. He was excited at the prospect, what he didn’t know was, after he had been placed in the pod, something had gone wrong, or at least that’s how it looked to those on the outside. Joe’s body had suddenly vanished, but for those who summoned him, things had gone to plan, almost. Joe and Spooky, his E.I. companion were whisked into a new world to be the Champion of the Way. He was different to the ones summoned before, but through that difference lay ultimate potential. As long as he can survive enough to level.
You’re not Allowed to Die by Kip Terrington is a really great LitRpg fantasy read. I really enjoyed the gaming mechanics, and how they were applied to reality. The writing style is as engaging as the world itself, and the characters are always developing and growing. The book itself finishes at the end of the first day, a kingdom is being founded and allies are being recruited. In places it makes me think a little of Suikoden, a hero, a castle, and allegiances to form, allies to recruit, all in the name of protecting those weaker. I’m really excited to find out where this goes next.
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